This Sunday at HUMC

 

Dear Church Family,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I hope this message finds you well and encouraged in your faith journey. I wanted to share two important things with you this week.

1. Sitting Middle Pews Campaign

Our sanctuary is a beautiful space, but its size can sometimes make our small numbers feel even smaller. I’d like to invite you to join me in a small experiment—let’s try sitting together in the middle pews. This simple step can foster a sense of closeness, making it easier to encourage and connect with one another during worship.

Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another.” By sitting side by side, we can live out this call to build one another up in love. Let’s take this small step toward a more connected and encouraging worship experience.

2. Gardiner Sunday – Monthly Music Service

This Sunday, we have a wonderful opportunity to share joy with the residents of Gardiner Health Care during our monthly music service. It’s always a blessing to sing and fellowship together—it uplifts the residents and fills our hearts as well.

• Rehearsal: 1 PM at Houlton UMC
• Service: 2 PM at Gardiner Health Care

I encourage everyone to join us for this special time of ministry. Whether you love to sing or simply want to bring a warm smile, your presence will make a difference!

Let’s continue to live out our faith, encouraging one another and serving as Christ’s hands and feet in our community.

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Nov 10, 2024)

 

Peace to you. 

This weekend, I had the opportunity to watch the movie *Lost on a Mountain in Maine* with my family. It's an incredible story based on real events that took place nearly 90 years ago about a 12-year-old boy, Don, who went missing and was found miraculously after 9 long days. Despite the years that have passed, this story feels close to us here in Northern Maine. Mount Katahdin, where Don was lost, holds a special place in the hearts of many in our community.

As I reflected on Don's story, I found myself wondering what sustained him during those nine days alone in the wilderness. I was reminded of three things he held onto, lessons his father had taught him in case he ever got lost:

1. Don’t lose your head.

2. Follow the stream.

3. When things get tough, press on.

It’s incredible how these principles guided Don through a challenging time. And in a way, they echo the story of Joshua and the Israelites. God called Joshua to lead the Israelites in a strange and demanding task—marching around Jericho for seven days. Each day, they faithfully circled the city, yet there was no visible change, no cracking walls or signs of progress. Still, they held on and trusted, pressing on until the breakthrough on the seventh day.

As a church, we’re walking through a time that sometimes feels like those quiet, persistent rounds. We do everything we know to do, yet at times, we might long for a clear sign or some visible proof that God is working in our midst. But like Joshua and Don, we can learn to lean on some important lessons:

1. Don’t lose your heart.

2. Follow the Word.

3. Press on.

When we hold fast to these principles, God’s guiding presence lights our way. Let us press on together, hearts steady, feet firm, and eyes fixed on Jesus. Though the path may be hidden today, His promises will lead us home. Forward we go, as one family of faith.

I invite you to join us this Sunday as we gather in worship. Services are at 11 am in Houlton and at 9 am in Hodgdon and Mars Hill. Let’s continue this journey together, grounded in His love and grace. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community

 

All Saints Day Greetings!

May God’s grace be with you and strengthen you on this special day of remembrance.

Today we celebrate All Saints Day—a day to honor and remember the many who have blessed our faith journeys. We are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses,” people whose lives shine as examples and who cheer us on from heaven. These saints might include those close to us—our mothers and fathers, Sunday school teachers, uncles and aunts, and many others whose love and faith inspire us still.

You’re warmly invited to join us in honoring All Saints Day this weekend as God’s family. Here’s how we’ll be celebrating:

Tonight, November 1st at 6:30 p.m., all United Methodist churches in the county will come together to worship at Grant Memorial UMC in Presque Isle, where we’ll give thanks for the legacy of our spiritual ancestors. Our beloved organist, Susan Laurence, will lead a pick-up choir with rehearsal at 6:00 p.m. (all are welcome to sing). Our children’s band will also bring us special music.

Tomorrow, November 2nd at 11 a.m., we will gather at Houlton UMC for a funeral service honoring Judy Conway. Visiting hours will be from 10-11 a.m., and a reception will follow the service. This will be a meaningful time to remember Judy’s life and the lives of others who have left a lasting impact on us.

This Sunday, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday in our worship service. Please bring photos of your spiritual heroes, and together we will create a collage honoring our saints. We will also share communion, tasting and seeing the sweetness of fellowship with all the saints from every age.

And finally, don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour before Sunday! May you enjoy a refreshing extra hour of sleep this weekend.

May God bless you, and may the love of our saints continue to encourage and guide us. With heartfelt love for each of you, I look forward to gathering as God’s family in remembrance and thanksgiving!

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

All Saints Day??

 

Peace and Grace to you.

Did you know that “Halloween” is a shortened form of “All Hallows’ (Saints’) Eve”? Each year on November 1, Christians around the world observe All Saints Day—a day to remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith. It’s a time to honor the lives that have shaped our own journeys and the lasting legacies of faith in our community.

You may be wondering, “Do United Methodists believe in saints?” The answer is both yes and no. While we don’t pray to saints or recognize them as mediators to God, as our Catholic brothers and sisters do, we do celebrate the lives of faithful people who have influenced our faith, uplifted our spirits, and drawn us closer to God. Our belief is firmly grounded in Scripture: “There is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6a).

This year, we will gather with United Methodist churches from across the county to celebrate All Saints Day at Grant Memorial UMC in Presque Isle. The service will be held on Friday, November 1, at 6:30 pm, and it will be a special evening of remembrance, praise, and worship. We’re blessed to have our beloved organist, Susan Laurence, leading a pick-up choir for this occasion; rehearsal will begin at 6 pm for those who would like to join. If you are interested in carpooling or need a ride, please email me or call me at 207-538-0778. We will be meeting at Houlton UMC’s parking lot at 5 pm for departure.

Additionally, this Sunday, November 3, we’ll take a moment during our service to remember and honor the names of church members who have gone to glory this past year. My prayer is that in gathering for this holy occasion, we may feel the closeness of the “great cloud of witnesses” and celebrate the fullness of God’s family—across all generations and places.

I encourage you to come and join us in this time of remembrance and celebration. May it be a blessing and a reminder of the love and faith that surround us. 

Thank you for being among us. Love you deeply. 

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Oct 27, 2024)

 

*Photo: A booth at a community event featuring Backpacks for Kids.(Oct 26, 2024)

Shalom, everyone! 

I hope this message finds you well! 

I would to invite you to our monthly Family Worship Service this Sunday. This is a wonderful opportunity for all generations to come together to worship, celebrate, and grow in faith.Our Pick-Up Choir will bless us with their voices during the service. If you enjoy singing, we encourage you to join in!

After the service, we will gather for a Love Feast potluck luncheon. Please bring a dish to share, and let’s enjoy good food and fellowship together!

For those who cannot join us in person, we will be livestreaming the service. You can watch along here: [Livestream Link]. I've also attached the service bulletin for your reference. 

I truly believe that moments like these strengthen our bonds and deepen our faith. Let’s come together in love and worship as one family in Christ.

Looking forward to seeing each of you this Sunday!

In Christ,
Pastor Victor

Life Together Community (Oct 20, 2024)

 

*Made by Grace, Esther, and Hannah

Come, Walk with Us This Saturday!
We’d love for you to join us this Saturday, October 19th, for the Bridge to Hope fundraising walk at Riverfront Park in Houlton. It’s a great way to support local families facing cancer. Registration kicks off at 9 AM, and the walk begins at 10 AM. 

If you can’t make it in person, you can still help by donating throughout the month—just write “Bridge to Hope” in the memo line of your check to the church. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

 

Come, Celebrate Laity Sunday with Us!

This Sunday, October 20th, we’re celebrating Laity Sunday—a special day in the United Methodist Church when we honor the ministry of all Christians, especially our lay members. It’s a reminder that every one of us is called to participate in God’s mission. 

The heart of Laity Sunday is all about the shared calling of laypersons and clergy as “one people” to live out and share the good news of Jesus Christ together. So come and celebrate with us, as we reflect on the important role each of us plays in God’s mission.

 

Come, Sing with Us at Gardiner This Sunday!

You’re also warmly invited to a special music service at Gardiner this Sunday, October 20th, at 2 PM! Before we head over, we’ll be having a rehearsal at 1 PM at Houlton UMC, so feel free to come a bit earlier if you’d like to join in.

This will be a great time of worship, music, and fellowship, and we’d love to have you be a part of it. Plus, we’ll be providing pizza for lunch!  So come, lift your voice, and enjoy some good food and fellowship with us.

 

Thank you for building up Christ's Church together with us. Have a blessed weekend! 

 

In Christ, 

Pastor Victor

Today's Service (Oct 6th)

 

Shalom, everyone! 

I want to apologize for the technical difficulties we experienced during today's service. Unfortunately, we were unable to live stream the service via YouTube as planned.

As a backup, part of the service was live-streamed on Facebook at this link. While the video and audio quality are not the best, it is still available for viewing there. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through these challenges.

For those who missed the sermon, I have also made the transcript available at this link. We are continuing our Ephesians sermon series, titled “Belong,” and I hope this message can still reach and encourage you in this season.

Thank you for your grace, and we will work to ensure a smoother experience moving forward.  

God bless you all!

In Christ,
Pastor Victor